Canadians diving for Olympic dreams at Canada Cup
Plenty of drama with Rio qualification at stake
Some of the worlds best divers are in Gatineau, Que., this weekend for a FINA Grand Prix event.
While a Grand Prix is considered a lesser event compared to a World Series competition, these events are crucial for Canadians.
That's because Canadian Olympic qualification spots are still up for grabs, and the Canada Cup is one of three qualification events remaining. The fate of some divers' Olympic dreams rests in their remaining performances.
The battle is most intense on the men's side, where only one spot is available in both the 3-metre springboard and 10-metre platform.
From teammates to competitors
Montreal's Philippe Gagné, 18, is in a battle for the Olympic spot in the 3m with his synchro partner Francois Imbeau-Dulac. of Saint-Lazare, Que. Gagné would be attempting qualify individually for his first Olympics while Imbeau-Dulac is looking for a return trip to the Summer Games.
In the 10m platform, Maxim Bouchard is looking to make his Olympic debut following a diving accident in 2010 that almost ended his career. Bouchard is in a close battle with 19-year-old Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Vincent Riendeau.
After a freak ankle injury that left Roseline Filion sidelined throughout the winter, her comeback hinges on a battle for the final 10m platform Olympic spot with Celina Toth, a new diver in the mix hoping to break into one of the two spots that have historically been owned by Filion and Meaghan Benfeito.
Filion has an advantage though since she will have two more opportunities to make the team at World Series events in Windsor, Ont., and Kazan, Russia. Athletes had to qualify for the World Series events based on their results at the world championships — and Toth didn't compete at worlds.
Filion and Benfeito have already qualified for Rio as a pair in the 10m platform synchro.
Another chance to prep for Rio
Benfeito has already secured her individual 10m Olympic spot, along with Jennifer Abel and Pamela Ware in the women's 3m springboard synchro. Abel and Ware have also booked spots in the individual events. The Canada Cup will be an event where they can continue to make Olympic preparations against high-level competition.
If scores between competitors remain close after the final three competitions, the Olympic trials on June 11-12 in Scarborough, Ont., will determine who goes to Rio.